493.90B234/9–2451: Telegram

The Ambassador in Burma (Key) to the Secretary of State

secret
priority

312. Ref Embtel 300, September 21. Fol conf over weekend with PriMin who expressed gratitude our offer, FonMin today advanced fol GOB suggestions:

(1)
US good offices be used persuade Taipei auths instruct Gen Li Mi and his staff return Taiwan and remain there.
(2)
Use our good offices induce Taipei once again issue orders KMT leave Burma or surrender to GOB for internment. Original GOB internment offer still open.
(3)
Make appeal jointly with British, if possible, to Thailand to take effective steps stop arms smuggling. If Thai Govt agrees, it wld be helpful if nature of action taken cld be specified.
(4)
If as GOB assumes planes making arms drops to KMT troops in Burma are using airstrips somewhere in Thailand for refueling, use our good offices jointly with Brit, if possible, to persuade Thailand to put end this practice.

FonMin plans discuss suggestions (3) and (4) with Thai Chargé and also with Brit Amb upon latter’s return from Singapore later this week.

[Page 297]

Reverting to (1) above we suggest that if Mi and any of his associates are presently in Thailand as recently reported, perhaps Thai auths cld be urged to prevent their return to Burma or better still compel them return Taiwan.

In view Burmese Army’s deep resentment over difficulties created by KMT which is fully shared by newly appointed Burmese Amb to Peiping1 who only recently made mischievous statements this subj to press Hong Kong, possibility can not be excluded that he and Ne Win may attempt some covert arrangement with Chi Commies where under latter wld be given free hand deal with KMT troops in Burma regardless of dangerous consequences to Burma which this wld entail. We earnestly hope therefore that sympathetic consideration will be given the Burmese suggestions.

GOB has agreed defer any action with reference UN appeal while awaiting our reply and if latter is favorable will await outcome of our efforts.

Key
  1. The newly appointed Burmese Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China was U Hla Maung, who had been Burma’s Ambassador to Thailand.